Fixing Broken MSP Marketing (EP 1010)
I sit down with fractional CMO and CRO Dave Scott to call out the worst MSP marketing advice, why “doing something is better than nothing” is a lie, and how to know when it’s time to stop DIY and invest in real growth leadership. We get honest about owner mindset, broken businesses, and practical ways smaller shops can use AI, VAs, and a clear brand script to finally get past that stubborn 1 million mark.
I brought back my friend Dave Scott from Scott Growth Strategies to poke the bear a little and talk about why so many MSPs feel stuck, even when they’re working their tails off. Dave lives right in the middle of that problem as a fractional CMO/CRO for MSPs and B2B firms that have hit a growth ceiling, and he does not sugarcoat the reality that a lot of us are fantastic engineers and pretty rough business owners. We dig into the difference between being an “idea-heavy” entrepreneur and a disciplined business owner, why 77 percent of MSPs are under a million in revenue, and how that shows up as burnout, bad clients, and lumpy, random sales.
Chapters
- 00:22 Podcast Intro
- 04:12 Conference Season Updates
- 07:45 Hardware Quotes and Firewalls
- 12:37 Sponsor Spotlight
- 14:06 Growth Marketing Challenge
- 27:06 Scaling Beyond DIY
- 36:17 Mindset Before Spending
- 39:58 Ego Versus Confidence
- 44:02 Florida Man Break
- 46:32 Automation and Voice
- 54:52 AI and VA Trends
- 1:00:57 Closing Thoughts
=== Guest: Dave Scott, Scott Growth Strategies
- Website: https://scottgrowthstrategies.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davescott
=== Florida Man Stories
- Pomeranian rescued with Jaws of Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlD7nAEjj9s
- Zip-tied iguanas discovered during traffic stop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc2VHCjWkZ0
- Central Florida Man exposes himself in drive thru: https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2026/05/01/central-florida-man-exposed-his-genitals-at-chick-fil-a-drive-thru-deputies-say/
=== Shout-outs
- Eric Anthony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esanthony/
- Rob Rae: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robtrae/
- Paco Lebron: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pacolebron
- Gary Vaynerchuk (“Gary V”): https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyvaynerchuk
- Reed Warren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reedwarren/
- Mike Harvath: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mharvath/
- Gary Pica: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garypica
- Tim Golden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothygolden/
- Fred Voccola: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredvoccola
- Arnie Bellini: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arniebellini
- Chris Wiser: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cwiser/
- Verne Harnish: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verneharnish(author of Scaling Up)
=== Companies / Vendors / Products / Books
- Scaling Up, by Verne Harnish: https://amzn.to/49V3mOr
- Answer Engine Playbook: https://answerengineplaybook.substack.com (Substack newsletter Dave referenced)
- Pax8 Beyond (conference): https://www.pax8beyond.com
- TechCon Unplugged: https://techconunplugged.com
- ACES Conference: https://acesconf.com
- Fluke Network LinkIQ Cable +Network Tester: https://amzn.to/4dDy3ZC
- TREND Networks SignalTEK QT Pro: https://amzn.to/4dRQLhv
- Virtual Assistant: onlinejobs.ph: https://www.onlinejobs.ph
- IT Valuations: https://www.itvaluations.com
- MSP CFO: https://www.mspcfo.com
- Revenue Rocket: https://www.revenuerocket.com
- TruMethods: https://www.trumethods.com
- Taylor Business Group: https://taylorbusinessgroup.com
- HaloPSA: https://halopsa.com
- HubSpot: https://www.hubspot.com
- Microsoft Dynamics 365: https://dynamics.microsoft.com
- HighLevel: https://www.gohighlevel.com
=== SPONSORS:
- Livestream Partner, ThreatLocker: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/threatlocker
- Technology Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/
- Technology Partner: Bvoip: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/bvoip
- Travel Partner: TruGrid: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/trugrid
- Digital Partner, Designer Ready: http://itbusinesspodcast.com/designerready
=== SHOW MUSIC:
- Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock Logo
- Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UET
- Author Username: AlexanderRufire
- Item License Code: 7X9F52DNML
=== Connect with Uncle Marv
🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
🎙 Host: Marvin Bee
🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast
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Dave is the Founder and CEO of SGS, where he guides clients with a client-centric and direct approach to marketing that actually works. Dave’s worked with many large brands over the years and has 20+ years of experience working with MSPs, SaaS, Tech and IT firms and B2B companies. He pours his wealth of marketing knowledge into clients making sure they’re seen, heard and valued in the current tech climate. Dave also hosts the podcast: From Stuck To Successful, where he shares his and guests’ insights on the marketing industry at large. He’s also a contributing writer at E-Commerce Consulting and the Good Men Project. In the end, Dave delivers digital marketing leadership, strategies and tools that lead clients to growth. Though Dave is a master when it comes to marketing, his biggest pride and joy are his two daughters. When he’s not with them, you’ll probably find him boxing, skiing, spending time with this family, or traveling. Lastly, he’s an avid supporter of the fight against human trafficking and emotional healing for business owners.
